Biggest Ballon d’Or Snubs – Ranked
The Ballon d'Or is widely considered the ultimate individual honor in football, awarded each year to the player deemed to have been the best over the previous season. But the award has often sparked fierce debate, with fans and pundits arguing over who truly deserved to win. Some seasons saw players post extraordinary numbers — scoring and assisting at a rate that seemed almost superhuman — only to walk away empty-handed. These snubs are among the most painful in football history, as they highlight moments where greatness was not fully rewarded. Here, we take a deep dive into the top 10 biggest Ballon d'Or snubs since 2000, ranked by combined goals and assists in a single season, starting from number 10 and working our way to the ultimate injustice.
10. Kylian Mbappé – 2023 (73 G+A in 62 Games)
Mbappé was a relentless attacking force throughout 2023, scoring at will and providing assists for his teammates at PSG. His 73 combined goal contributions demonstrated just how complete his game had become, blending pace, dribbling, and clinical finishing. Yet despite being arguably the most decisive player in Europe, he was passed over for the Ballon d'Or — a decision that many felt ignored his impact on every competition he played.
9. Thierry Henry – 2003 (75 G+A in 65 Games)
In 2003, Henry was at the height of his powers, terrorizing Premier League defenses with his trademark runs, silky touches, and lethal finishing. He recorded an astonishing 75 combined goals and assists, almost single-handedly keeping Arsenal in contention for every major title. Despite being widely regarded as the best player in England at the time, he finished second in the Ballon d'Or voting, which many critics still view as one of the most glaring omissions in the award’s history.
8. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2015 (75 G+A in 57 Games)
Cristiano Ronaldo’s 2015 season was a goal machine in full flow, delivering 75 goal contributions in just 57 appearances for Real Madrid. His mix of power, precision, and athleticism made him unstoppable, yet he was edged out in the voting once again. Many felt that his performances, particularly in La Liga where he scored freely, merited far greater recognition on the Ballon d'Or stage.
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7. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2012 (77 G+A in 71 Games)
Ronaldo’s 2012 campaign was remarkable, with 77 combined goals and assists across an exhausting 71-game season. He was a driving force behind Real Madrid’s record-breaking 100-point La Liga title, scoring crucial goals and carrying the team in tight matches. Still, he was denied the Ballon d'Or, finishing behind Messi, who had one of the most iconic seasons in history — but that did little to lessen the feeling that Ronaldo deserved more.
6. Cristiano Ronaldo – 2011 (79 G+A in 60 Games)
In 2011, Ronaldo delivered 79 goal contributions and showcased his ability to produce in every competition, from La Liga to the Champions League. His performances included breathtaking solo goals, match-winning moments, and a level of consistency few could match. Yet the Ballon d'Or once again slipped through his fingers, with Messi claiming the honor in what became a pattern of near misses for the Portuguese forward.
5. Kylian Mbappé – 2021 (80 G+A in 55 Games)
At just 22 years old, Mbappé’s 2021 season was a glimpse into the future of football dominance. He combined lightning pace, flair, and composure to notch 80 goal contributions in just 55 games — a stunning level of production for someone so young. Nevertheless, he was snubbed for the Ballon d'Or, leading many to question whether individual brilliance was being properly valued in the voting process.
4. Lionel Messi – 2018 (80 G+A in 54 Games)
Messi’s 2018 season was yet another masterpiece, as he delivered 80 goals and assists despite playing fewer games than in most of his campaigns. His ability to decide matches on his own was on full display, with unforgettable free-kicks, solo runs, and inch-perfect passes. Despite his genius, Luka Modrić claimed the award that year, leaving some fans feeling that Messi had been unfairly overlooked.
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3. Lionel Messi – 2014 (82 G+A in 66 Games)
In 2014, Messi produced 82 goal contributions and guided Argentina all the way to the World Cup final, winning the tournament’s Golden Ball as its best player. His club performances for Barcelona remained world-class, showing his consistency at the highest level. Yet he did not win the Ballon d'Or, as Cristiano Ronaldo took home the prize — a result that split opinion among football fans.
2. Luis Suárez – 2016 (82 G+A in 57 Games)
Luis Suárez had one of the most explosive attacking seasons in football history in 2016, scoring goals from every angle and linking perfectly with Messi and Neymar in Barcelona’s feared MSN trio. His 82 combined goals and assists led La Liga in both categories and propelled Barça to multiple trophies. Despite this historic output, Suárez did not even make the top three of the Ballon d'Or voting, a decision many still call a scandal.
1. Lionel Messi – 2016 (92 G+A in 62 Games)
Messi’s 2016 campaign stands as the most prolific on this list, with an astonishing 92 combined goals and assists. He was unstoppable that season, producing moments of magic almost every week and leading Barcelona to silverware. Yet, incredibly, he still did not win the Ballon d'Or, making this perhaps the single biggest snub in the award’s modern history.
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